CCTV footage of Lakefield Ocean Basket in Benoni has surfaced showing the owner of the franchise assaulting a junior staff member has circulated on social media.

The white manager in the video can be seen hitting the black staff member on the face. The owner can also be seen kneeling the man in the body area.

Ocean Basket’s chief executive officer Grace Harding has spoken out about the incident in an interview with TshisaLIVE after calls to boycott the restaurant.

Harding confirmed that the man has been removed immediately after they were aware of the assault.

“When we saw it we immediately went to the store where we confronted the owner. We immediately removed him from our brand. We have provided counselling services to the employee who was assaulted.” Harding said.

The employee has worked for the restaurant for nine years, is said to have allegedly broken a rule at the store.

“But‚ regardless of whether he broke a rule or committed a serious offence‚ as is alleged‚ this is not the way to deal with it.”

“The behaviour of the owner‚ who has serious problems‚ was completely unwarranted. There are appropriate reporting mechanisms‚ which should have been followed‚” she added.

The employee has been advised of his legal rights in terms of laying criminal charges but has for now chosen not to lay charges.